Natasha Chetty

I still can't believe that she has gone and I never got to stay goodbye. Natasha was a friend, who I happened to work with. I will miss her joy for life, including the many dinners that we shared. I have never met anyone who had had so many interests and was so talented no matter what she turned her hand to. She kept me grounded when things got too much and was always so supportive of everyone that she had contact with. Not matter what life threw at her she always had a beautiful smile. I can't imagine the loss that you are feeling but I hope that you will find some peace knowing that she is no longer suffering.

My first memory of Natasha was around 2004/5 in International - approachable, no nonsense, and very professional was my earliest impression of her. Then off she went to do other great jobs around the world. But it was years later when I joined the Resettlement Team that I really got to know her. Her warm and genuine nature made me feel welcome and part of the team in no time. She quickly became a friend, an ally, and an inspiration. She never spent time moaning about things - it was always about what she could do to make changes or improve things; she encouraged others (including me) to make the changes they wanted to see, and her outlook was always positive even during difficult times. Natasha even had a fantastic time flying back from a work trip on her 40th Birthday (it was me that inadvertently booked her on that flight unaware it was her birthday). Later on in our friendship, she never failed to laugh at me , when I'd say how bad I felt on finding out I'd put her on a flight on her 40th! "Nonsense" she said, "A plane full of smiling kids, coming to start new lives in safety, thousands of miles up in the sky, singing me Happy Birthday on my 40th - I had the best time!". I'll miss her laughter, her wise words, and her creativeness, and her honest friendship. My heartfelt condolences go out to Richy, Natasha's parents, family, and friends on the loss of Natasha - a one in a million woman.

The first time I met Natasha was at an I&V awayday in Birmingham, where we were seated at the same table. Natasha was extremely friendly, warm, and inspiring. While getting to know Natasha at the awayday, we quickly got onto the topic of our favourite TV shows, which Natasha HIGHLY recommend Ru’Paul’s Drag Race. Although I hadn't watched the show before, I was well aware that my sister loved it too, and I decided to watch it with her. The next weekend I requested that we binge watch all the seasons I had missed, and I can now proudly declare I am a fan of the show thanks to Natasha! Natasha's loss on the team will be felt, and I wish her family my condolences

Natasha was a very inspirational and creative person. I had many conversations with her about films as she was a well known movie critic in her own right. The passion in the way she spoke about any subject was to be commended. A truly warm and vibrant soul which we will all miss. My thoughts and condolences are with Richy and the family. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.

Natasha and I joined the Civil Service Fast Stream around the same time in Autumn 2003. Her joy in life, vibrancy, directness and that amazing smile struck me from the start. She was a phenomenal civil servant, passionate and dedicated and always putting people at the heart of her approach. I remember very vividly one of the last times I saw Natasha in person. She was leaving work for the day and I was still there, struggling with a particularly tricky issue. Natasha stopped to ask if everything was okay, and then sat down and we chatted - she was generous as ever with her reflections, insights and time. She seemed to have an antennae for when somebody needed that extra support, or when people needed a bit of a lift. I still have the email she sent me with a long list of podcast recommendations and I know that I, like so many others, will think of her when I tune in. I will miss her enormously. My very deepest condolences to Richy and all Natasha's family and friends.

Natasha was my Chief of Staff many moons ago and my very fond memories are of a vibrant, compassionate, organised and overall wonderful colleague and human being.

I was fortunate enough to work with Natasha for the past few years and will remember her as a role model who was always generous with her time and knowledge. I’d love hearing about what hobby she’d recently mastered and I remember proudly sharing her BBC interview with my family saying “look what my manager won!”. I’ll miss her positivity and constant smile. Sincere sympathy to Richy and Natasha's family.

Natasha was a wonderful colleague and friend. She was strikingly good at her job, and could be relied upon to ask the tricky questions. But she was also very good at helping to answer the difficult questions, drawing on her own thoughts and experience but also on her listening skills and empathy to consider others' perspectives. She was a fantastic team member and I am so sorry that you - and we - have lost her far too soon.